Pair of WHS graduates help U of I Dance Marathon raise over $1.3 million for Stead Family Children’s Hospital

A pair of Waukon High School graduates were among the nearly 1,000 University of Iowa students who participated in the 28th annual student-led Dance Marathon February 4-5. The annual event generated more than $1.3 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital this year.

Olivia Opat, a 2020 graduate of Waukon High School, was one of more than 150 current University of Iowa students who served in leadership positions for the 28th annual student-led Dance Marathon. Opat served as a member of the finance committee for Dance Marathon 28 (DM28).

Bailey Shafer of Waukon was one of more than 900 current University of Iowa students who participated in this year’s dance marathon. She is a 2021 graduate of Waukon High School.

The final tally raised by the students was $1,361,184.28, a total which pushed the amount of support generated by Dance Marathon over the course of its history to more than $33 million.

“Dance Marathon will continue to create so many miracles for our families. I am so glad that we all got to be a part of it together. Thank you so much,” said Anna Dodge, the executive director of “DM28,” which transitioned to a virtual event just 30 days before DM’s “Big Event” weekend, February 4-5.

Dance Marathon’s “Big Event” is the celebration of University of Iowa students’ year-round dedication to the children and families who have received treatment at the University of Iowa (UI) Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Dancers and Dance Marathon leadership fundraise for 365 days to reach their individual fundraising goal.

Dance Marathon works to create special projects to provide emotional and financial support to families treated at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital with an emphasis on pediatric cancer and bone marrow transplant patients. It committed $5 million of support to the construction of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital where the 11th floor is named the University of Iowa Pediatric Oncology Unit.

In addition, Dance Marathon pledged $2.2 million to fund a Child Life Specialist Position to ensure patients are provided the emotional support they need. Dance Marathon is the University of Iowa’s largest student organization. It has raised more than $33 million since its first event in 1995. In addition to raising money, the event celebrates the lives of survivors and recognizes those lost.

To learn more about the University of Iowa Dance Marathon and view the history of the event, visit https://dancemarathon.uiowa.edu/about/history-and-tradition/